Ride of Silence is an annual commemoration of those who have been killed or badly injured while riding their bicycles on the roads. Quite likely there are ghost bikes around your home town. These sad memorials mark spots where riders have met their deaths on the road.

A friend of  mine was injured late last year when a pickup truck struck him while he was bicycling. I’m glad to be able to report that he’s recovering; and that his family won’t have the sad duty of putting up a ghost bike for him.

Today, May 15, the local Ride of Silence took place. The ride began at 7 pm or a little after. It was shorter than I expected; less than 8 miles. On the way home afterwards, my headlight died. I wish I had thought to take a spare with me.

We riders all wore black armbands. Our pace was slow; about 6-7 mph. I used the hybrid, because my road bike feels too unsteady at low speeds. It didn’t help that I’m unused to riding near other cyclists.

While we were waiting to start the ride, I had to keep moving because somebody’s “fragrance” was bothering my sinuses. That “stuff” made me feel almost sick! This is why I don’t do group rides much. A filter mask is too smothery to wear while cycling.

Our pace was slow, but irregular. I had to keep shifting between the first and second cogs; and when I was on cog #2 I kept hearing a lot of clattering. I guess it didn’t realize that it was a ride of silence.